Sep 22 | Michigan

[TheSunIsRising]

By 3 minutes into the 4th QTR, AFA had 6 of 8 drives go into the red zone against Michigan; so obviously teams can move the ball on them. Too bad the Falcons could only score 3 TDs and a FG on those 6 chances. It looked like the penultimate AFA drive was actually going to put the ball in the endzone; not sure about the 3rd and 4th down calls that stymied the drive with 4 mins left (especially the 3rd down inside run on 3rd and 5 - Air Force really seemed to be causing chaos for Michigan on the pitches where the defenders couldn't cover the edge properly).

 

[MPClinton22]

Only way I see College Gameday coming for the Michigan game is if FSU gets upset by Wake Forest this weekend, so GO DEACONS! Although not sure if I really want Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of ESPN tainting what I am sure will be a perfect gameday.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Only way I see College Gameday coming for the Michigan game is if FSU gets upset by Wake Forest this weekend, so GO DEACONS! Although not sure if I really want Kirk Herbstreit and the rest of ESPN tainting what I am sure will be a perfect gameday.

More than likely you are correct. If we beat Michigan State than this game will look quite a bit more appealing, and Notre Dame vs a ranked Michigan will always have ratings. I believe that there will be more viewership for the Notre Dame/Michigan game if we win next week, than the Florida State/Clemson game if they are both undefeated.

 

[Anchorman]

Can't read on. You and I definitely watch football differently.

EDIT: Nevermind. I had to go on. It was like my eyes were drawn to it, the same way they would to a bad traffic accident. ND doesn't have excelent team speed on defense? They don't play disciplined defense? That is trolish or ignorant. Which?

I think you would have a hard time saying ND has "excellent" team speed on defense. Its improved, certainly, but none of our LBs are exactly burners, nor is Zeke Motta. The best evidence of Russell's speed the board can manage is chasing down a second string Navy WR. Jackson is probably our fastest guy on defense, but he's really alone in a top tier speed category.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I think you would have a hard time saying ND has "excellent" team speed on defense. Its improved, certainly, but none of our LBs are exactly burners, nor is Zeke Motta. The best evidence of Russell's speed the board can manage is chasing down a second string Navy WR. Jackson is probably our fastest guy on defense, but he's really alone in a top tier speed category.

I think our secondary has decent speed, with guys across the board, at least being clocked at 4.5 or better at some point in their careers. Play recognition is much more important on the field than elite speed imho. Alabama is elite in the speed category on defense, but even more so in play recognition. The team is well coached, and the kids understand the game plan very well.

If you look at our secondary, Farley, Slaughter, Russell, Shumate, Brown, Atkinson, and Jackson all have great speed. At our corner position, there is more speed than last year as Blanton ran a 4.7 or so at the combine. Zeke is probably in that category.

Our linebackers lack "elite speed" as you would say, but out of high school, average a faster forty, as a whole, than Alabama's linebacking corps.

I think what you are referring to, as I stated previously, is play recognition. Which Alabama and elite defenses excel at.

 

[Redbar]

I think our secondary has decent speed, with guys across the board, at least being clocked at 4.5 or better at some point in their careers. Play recognition is much more important on the field than elite speed imho. Alabama is elite in the speed category on defense, but even more so in play recognition. The team is well coached, and the kids understand the game plan very well.

If you look at our secondary, Farley, Slaughter, Russell, Shumate, Brown, Atkinson, and Jackson all have great speed. At our corner position, there is more speed than last year as Blanton ran a 4.7 or so at the combine. Zeke is probably in that category.

Our linebackers lack "elite speed" as you would say, but out of high school, average a faster forty, as a whole, than Alabama's linebacking corps.

I think what you are referring to, as I stated previously, is play recognition. Which Alabama and elite defenses excel at.

I think our defense could achieve what Alabama's defense has in the recognition department when we start putting in the same amount of time each week that they do. Twenty hour weeks are for student athletes and the lazy not SEC Big Dawgs or Rich Rodriguez.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I think our defense could achieve what Alabama's defense has in the recognition department when we start putting in the same amount of time each week that they do. Twenty hour weeks are for student athletes and the lazy not SEC Big Dawgs or Rich Rodriguez.

I notice the italics, but I am unsure how to take the comment. Our defense is achieving quite a bit thus far, and is probably thought of as elite by many programs across the country. I think you could name quite a few defenses that aren't up to par with ours, which would include everyone on our schedule but Michigan State IMO.

 

[Redbar]

I notice the italics, but I am unsure how to take the comment. Our defense is achieving quite a bit thus far, and is probably thought of as elite by many programs across the country. I think you could name quite a few defenses that aren't up to par with ours, which would include everyone on our schedule but Michigan State IMO.

I'm glad you noticed the italics. But now I don't know how to take your comment. I was making a joke about a conversation that YOU had where YOU said our secondary had "decent" speed and our linebacking corp lacked "elite" speed, you advised anchorman that what he interpreted as a lack of speed was actually on paper or coming out of high school a team that was near as speedy as Alabama, but what Alabama had in addition was great play recognition. I'm not sure why you want to split hairs here when I never said anything about our defense not being elite or considered one of the best in the country, I wouldn't trade any member on our team for any other kid in the country. I clearly was making a joke and used italics to show this, if you really want to split hairs I think your comments to Anchorman could be just as easily construed as a slight against our defense and they were made without tongue in cheek.#goeasyman

 

[Irishbounty28]

I'm glad you noticed the italics. But now I don't know how to take your comment. I was making a joke about a conversation that YOU had where YOU said our secondary had "decent" speed and our linebacking corp lacked "elite" speed, you advised anchorman that what he interpreted as a lack of speed was actually on paper or coming out of high school a team that was near as speedy as Alabama, but what Alabama had in addition was great play recognition. I'm not sure why you want to split hairs here when I never said anything about our defense not being elite or considered one of the best in the country, I wouldn't trade any member on our team for any other kid in the country. I clearly was making a joke and used italics to show this, if you really want to split hairs I think your comments to Anchorman could be just as easily construed as a slight against our defense and they were made without tongue in cheek.#goeasyman

I get that you weren't being ill towards me, which I wasn't to you either. I probably should have put that I didn't know exactly what you meant by the comment. I was just hoping that you didn't think I was making a slight against our defense, which is how I took it. I guess that is the world through the computer, where some things are misconstrued.

 

[Redbar]

I get that you weren't being ill towards me, which I wasn't to you either. I probably should have put that I didn't know exactly what you meant by the comment. I was just hoping that you didn't think I was making a slight against our defense, which is how I took it. I guess that is the world through the computer, where some things are misconstrued.

No problem at all, man. I actually think you make a very salient point in that Alabama's defense does know exactly how they are supposed to handle their assignments, they are extremely well coached and this does allow them to play faster. My point in my maybe not so good joke was that they seem to be so well prepared, that even other teams in their stratosphere can't match it. LSU has great athletes that often need to use that athleticism to "recover". Alabama seems to work as one cohesive unit and rarely seem to be beaten, I am not sure how they have been able to achieve this over a prolonged period of time with graduations and injuries, coaching yeah sure they have great coaches so do other schools, great athletes, so do other schools. I think that type of cohesiveness comes from repetition from seeing a lot of fronts and practicing your assignment over and over and I know that the 20 hour work week is adhered to by some and not so much by others. I suspect Alabama pushes that rule to it's limit as they have shown that they will push any rule to it's limit and as I stated earlier, no one else seems to be able to achieve that consistency over time regardless of personnel.

Reps your way!

 

[elboricua]

I think you would have a hard time saying ND has "excellent" team speed on defense. Its improved, certainly, but none of our LBs are exactly burners, nor is Zeke Motta. The best evidence of Russell's speed the board can manage is chasing down a second string Navy WR. Jackson is probably our fastest guy on defense, but he's really alone in a top tier speed category.

I think this is right. ND is definitely not a very fast team. Part of that is appearance though based on scheme. They don't play an aggressive scheme and so they always look pretty average in the speed department. But it is also reality that they aren't that fast. Kelly and Diaco have recruited for size potential on D at just about every position and you are always going to sacrifice speed when you do that. I agree that Jackson is the fastest on D, though Atkinson is the fastest on the track. I would say that neither are burners on the field and that neither possess elite football speed. Jackson might as he continues to improve, he's plenty fast enough, but I don't think he's in the top echelon speed wise in the country. Overall, the secondary is still pretty average in terms of speed. Linebackers are pretty average too because they are so big. If Councell starts, he would move them up a lot. The DLs are huge so they aren't very fast though Tuitt is an exception to every rule physically.

 

[NDinFL]

George Atkinson III has elite speed. That is all.

 

[PraetorianND]

George Atkinson III has elite speed. That is all.

 

[PANDFAN]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday that sophomore defensive end Frank Clark would remain a member of the team despite his guilty plea Tuesday to felony second-degree home invasion.


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"Frank Clark's status hasn't changed, won't change," Hoke said. "The judicial system, obviously, he's paying for that. He's paid a pretty heavy price with us. He's a teammate, made a bad decision that is not what we want, but he is a teammate and he is part of our family."

Hoke would not take further questions about Clark or how he arrived at his decision.

Clark had been suspended indefinitely after being arrested for stealing a laptop from a dorm room on June 14. He was allowed to return to practice after sitting out the first week of fall camp.

But Hoke suspended Clark again for the season opener against Alabama. He was reinstated for last week's game against Air Force, in which he made four tackles.

Clark pleaded guilty in Michigan's 22nd Circuit Court on Tuesday and will be sentenced on Oct. 23 under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which is a first-offender program for people under 21.

Under HYTA, if Clark completes the terms of his sentencing without violation, his record will be expunged. If he fails to do so, he will be brought back to court and re-sentenced without HYTA provisions. The maximum penalty for his crime is 15 years in prison.

 

[elboricua]

George Atkinson III has elite speed. That is all.

Yeah I was referring to Josh on defense. He doesn't have elite speed on the field but does on the track.

 

[Walter White]

I think this is right. ND is definitely not a very fast team. Part of that is appearance though based on scheme. They don't play an aggressive scheme and so they always look pretty average in the speed department. But it is also reality that they aren't that fast. Kelly and Diaco have recruited for size potential on D at just about every position and you are always going to sacrifice speed when you do that. I agree that Jackson is the fastest on D, though Atkinson is the fastest on the track. I would say that neither are burners on the field and that neither possess elite football speed. Jackson might as he continues to improve, he's plenty fast enough, but I don't think he's in the top echelon speed wise in the country. Overall, the secondary is still pretty average in terms of speed. Linebackers are pretty average too because they are so big. If Councell starts, he would move them up a lot. The DLs are huge so they aren't very fast though Tuitt is an exception to every rule physically.

^Reading his made my head hurt.

 

[Walter White]

Yeah I was referring to Josh on defense. He doesn't have elite speed on the field but does on the track.

How can you say he doesn't have elite speed on the field when he has hardly even played?

With that logic, how can you say that if Councell starts, he will improve our linebacker speed when he has not played yet either???

 

[elboricua]

How can you say he doesn't have elite speed on the field when he has hardly even played?

With that logic, how can you say that if Councell starts, he will improve our linebacker speed when he has not played yet either???

First of all, he has played. Secondly, he never showed elite speed on the field in high school film or in his appearances at ND. Third, ND is very weak in talent, depth and experience at corner, and he can't find time. If you have elite football speed (and he has ideal size for the position), then you would be playing in this D almost certainly.

How can you say he doesn't have elite speed on the field when he has hardly even played?

With that logic, how can you say that if Councell starts, he will improve our linebacker speed when he has not played yet either???

Oh, I forgot your point about Councell. Councell also has played a little bit and he showed way better speed on tape at the high school level than Fox or Spond. So I think we can say that he would likely improve the speed. Notice I'm not saying that he's for sure going to be really good or that there is enough data to make an educated guess as to how Councell compares speed-wise nationally. But I do think it's safe to assume he would improve the speed at the position over Fox and Spond.

 

[NDhoosier]

First of all, he has played. Secondly, he never showed elite speed on the field in high school film or in his appearances at ND. Third, ND is very weak in talent, depth and experience at corner, and he can't find time. If you have elite football speed (and he has ideal size for the position), then you would be playing in this D almost certainly.

you do realize that CB is one of the hardest positions to play because you have to have great technique. Josh has elite speed no matter what sport he is playing, he just needs to work on his technique at a very difficult position.

 

[TheChosen1]

Loser:

http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven....loads/2012/09/Michigan-Nipple-Stimulation.gif

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Loser:

http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven....loads/2012/09/Michigan-Nipple-Stimulation.gif

I could have gone without seeing that.

 

[Anchorman]

When did I miss Deion Walker following Molnar to UMass?

 

[PANDFAN]

When did I miss Deion Walker following Molnar to UMass?

Prob the day he did

 

[Grahambo]

Random: Listening to Gus Johnson call the USC-Stanford game (before ND starts), makes me want him for NBC to call the ND games badly.

Young, energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable. Just feels fun and fresh.

 

[greyhammer90]

F*CK MICHIGAN

 

[Sherm Sticky]

This team can't let this little bit of success go to their heads. They need to dominate Michigan next week!

 

[Kak7304]

QB off-the-field comparison:

Golson- enrolled in the #1 undergraduate business college in the nation. skilled piano player

Robinson- general studies major, still doesn't know how to tie shoes (hasn't had that course yet)

 

[BurningRiver]

Got offered a ticket to this.

Had to turn them down because it's my homecoming and I can't bail on my girlfriend.

Notre Dame Stadium is going to be rocking in a way it hasn't since '05 Southern Cal

 

[Kak7304]

Got offered a ticket to UM the game next weekend.

Had to turn them down because it's my homecoming and I can't bail on my girlfriend.

mancard revoked

 

[PraetorianND]

This team can't let this little bit of success go to their heads. They need to dominate Michigan next week!

I think our players have their heads screwed on straight. They know they have a long way to go and I think Manti keeps these guys on track. We're playing team football and improving. BK is building a PROGRAM and everyone does their part.